As the Colorado Buffaloes look to compete in the Big 12, Tad Boyle has added both experience and potential at the point guard position.
The experience comes in the form of Barrington Hargress, the transfer
from UC Riverside who averaged over 20 points per game as a sophomore. The potential is Isaiah Johnson, a six-foot-nothing three-star freshman from Los Angeles.
Hargress is a natural scorer, but Boyle praised his committment to becoming the “consummate point guard,” meaning scoring, distributing and finding that balance. His maturity is appreciated, as is his toughness, grit and two-way play.
Johnson, meanwhile, impressed everyone during summer practices and throughout the Australian summer tour. He’s small, not much of a scoring threat, but he just makes plays. He’s a natural playmaker, sees the game well and makes quick decisions. Tad loves his moxie, his fearlessness, and can’t wait until he’s an upperclassman.
Boyle is excited about both, highlighting not only the depth at point guard, but suggesting the two will spend time on the floor together. It should work plenty well, as both are intelligent, team-first players that will share the ball in a fast-paced, free-flowing offense.
As Boyle shifts from Tad Ball towards pace-and-small, small-ball basketball, it’s clear he wants to get as much skill on the floor as possible. The question, however, is how much of this small-ball is by choice or necessity.
Colorado’s only experienced forwards are Elijah Malone, Sebtastian Rancik and Bangot Dak — all projected starters — while the frontcourt depth of Tacko Fawaz, Leonardo van Elswyk and late addition Alon Michaeli are true freshman.
Michaeli is the most experienced, Fawaz is the most physically developed and van Elswysk might have the most long-term potential. It’s unclear which of them will play, who is ready for Big 12 basketball, and what the big man rotation will look like.
The Buffs will have to lean hard on their guards. They’re going to see how small, how fast and how skilled they can play, and how much those lineups — such as those featuring both Hargress and Johnson — can survive in a physical Big 12.
